Bullseye Pistol Shrimp
Alpheus soror
Also known as: blue-spot snapping shrimp, Blue-spot Snapping Shrimp, bullseye snapping shrimp, Michael's pistol shrimp, Michael's Pistol Shrimp
A snapping shrimp that pairs with gobies and packs a serious acoustic punch.
About
Michael's pistol shrimp (Alpheus soror), also known as the bullseye pistol shrimp or blue-spot snapping shrimp, is one of the more recognizable members of a fascinating group of crustaceans found across the Indo-West Pacific, from the coastal waters of South India and Sri Lanka out through the broader region. Like other pistol shrimp, it generates a powerful cavitation bubble by rapidly snapping its enlarged claw. A mechanism used for striking prey and communicating with tank mates. That distinctive crack is one of the first things you notice when one of these shrimp is active in your aquarium. In the wild, Alpheus species are famous for forming symbiotic partnerships with small gobies, where the nearly blind shrimp maintains a shared burrow and the goby acts as a lookout. Replicating this relationship in a home tank is absolutely possible and genuinely rewarding to observe. The shrimp does most of the digging and housekeeping while the goby alerts it to danger with a flick of its tail. Classified as an intermediate-care invertebrate, this species suits hobbyists who already have some experience with marine setups and understand the importance of a sandy substrate and compatible tank mates.
Good tank mates
Species that tend to coexist peacefully with Bullseye Pistol Shrimp
Frequently asked questions
- Is the Bullseye Pistol Shrimp aggressive?
- The Bullseye Pistol Shrimp is generally peaceful and suits a community tank with similarly calm tankmates.
- What does the Bullseye Pistol Shrimp eat?
- The Bullseye Pistol Shrimp is a carnivore. It needs a meaty, protein-rich diet of frozen or live foods.